Soil conditioner and slow release bio-pesticidal and fertilizer composition

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a soil conditioner, slow release bio pesticide and bio fertilizer composition. This is produced by admixing coir pith having 20% moisture with powdered neem cake upto 20% by its weight. The mixture is compressed and shaped as desired. The high rate of absorbency and slow decomposing property of coir pith enhances the slow release of bio-fertilizers and pesticides into the soil. The micro sponges of the coir pith absorbs about 900 times its volume of water during rainy season which is released slowly during dry conditions along with the decomposed products.

This Application is a 371 of PCT/IN00/00010 filed Feb. 4, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD:

This invention relates to a soil conditioner and slow releasebio-pesticidal and fertilizer composition.

In the coir industry, coconut husk is subjected to decomposition bysubmerging them in water. This softens up the vegetable matter insidethe husk from which fibre is extracted for the production of coir andcoir articles. Coir pith is a by-product obtained during this fibreprocessing step from coconut husk. This pith decomposes very slowly overa period of at least 10 years. In the coconut growing and coirprocessing areas spread through out coastal India, disposal of coir pithhas been posing environmental problems. Dumping of this polluting wasteproduct, though declared illegal in many States of India, continues,posing problems of disposal particularly because it is resistant toburning and burns for a long time, taking up atmospheric oxygen andreleasing carbon dioxide. This further complicates the already existing,ecological and environmental problems.

Peat is the name given to layers of dead vegetation in varying degreesof decomposition. They are formed by the accumulation of the remains ofmarshy vegetation in swampy hollows in cold and temperate regions.Geologically peat is considered as the youngest member of the coalfamily. Peat is widely used as a fuel and is therefore becoming scarce.

Coir pith is a homogenous material composed of millions of micro spongesexhibiting capillary action and it can absorb and hold as much as 900percentage of its weight in water. Coir pith is composed of carbon andnitrogen in the ratio of approximately 110 to 1 and has a protectivelignin coating. Because of these properties, the world's fragile ecologymay be saved with the help of coir pith.

BACKGROUND ART

A soil conditioner absorbs and retains moisture and releases it to thesoil surrounding it when the equilibrium of water content in the soiland the conditioner is disturbed. When the soil becomes dry or lessmoist the conditioner having absorbed water releases it slowly to thesoil around it.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to produce a soil conditioner having aslow release bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer which is eco-friendly andrenewable. Coir pith having very high absorbency rate is ideally suitedas water absorbent and storage material during the rainy season forsubsequent release of water. The inventor has found that the slow rateof decomposition of coir pith makes it an ideal conditioner forsubterranean soil. This, properly coupled with the ability to releasemoisture slowly, enables processed coir pith and neem cake combinationto function as a slow release bio-pesticidal/fertilizer and soilconditioner combination. This composition surprisingly exhibitsproperties substantially different from either coir pith or neem cakealone. The composition absorbs and holds rain water during rainy seasonand when subjected to subsoil microbial action, slow decomposition ofcoir pith and neem cake starts. When the water balance is disturbedduring dry and arid conditions, the composition releases the absorbedwater and the decomposed nitrogeneous matter to the soil supplementingits requirement. Insecticidal and fungicidal properties of neem cakeinhibits or minimises the attack of common subterranean pests thatattack vegetation. Neem cake not only delays the decay or decompositionof coir pith but also prevents pests and other harmful insects fromharming the cultivation.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Coir pith is sieved to remove coir fibre and other undesired materialstherefrom. Preferably a sieve with 6 mm/4.8 mm screens are used.Conductivity and pH of this coir pith is then tested and if desired thepith is subjected to the washing and drying step. Washing may be eithermanual or by exposing the same to rains and subsequent drying either inthe sun or in an oven. Preferred conductivity is upto 300 mhos and thepH range is 5.0 to 6.8. Moisture limit is up to 20% by weight ofmoisture.

After sieving and drying the pith is admixed with at least 20% by itsweight of powdered neem cake and is then subjected to high pressure in ahydraulic or any other known mechanical press. The composition may bemoulded in any desired shape, thickness and size. Large briquettes ordiscs are made for use in plantation while small coin shaped disc orslabs are made for use in gardens and small scale cultivations.

These moulded compositions may be distributed under the soil before thesowing and planting season, for release of micro-nutrients, fertilizerssuch as nitrogenous matter, water and pesticides. In course of time,with the help of rain water, the composition decays slowly releasingnutrients and pesticides, the decayed matter acting as soilconditioners. The composition and its action are ecofriendly andenvironmentally compatible.

This invention relates to a soil conditioner and slow releasebiopesticidal and fertilizer composition, which comprises at least 20%by weight of powdered neem cake and coir pith having a moisture contentof upto 20%, compressed to reduce its volume.

The composition is compressed to reduce its volume in the ratio of 12:1when small discs or briquettes are made. It is preferred to reduce thevolume to 6:1 when larger size units are formed. This composition isideally suited for desert farming and rain-fed farming conditions.

Obvious equivalents and alterations known to persons skilled in the artare within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compressed soil conditioner and slow releasebiopesticidal and fertilizer composition comprising at least 20% byweight of powdered neem seed cake admixed with coir pith of particlesize ranging from 4.8 mm to 6 mm, said coir pith having less than 20% byweight of water content and a pH range of 5.0 to 6.8, said compositionbeing compressed to reduce its volume to 12:1.
 2. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is reduced to compress itsvolume in the ratio of 6:1.
 3. The composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein said composition is compressed to discs, coins, or briquettes ina hydraulic press having the desired moulds.